South FRA buys 423 tonnes of maize

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has so far bought 423 tonnes of maize from farmers in its 41 satellites depots in region B of Southern Province.

FRA Region B marketing manager, Mr Stephen Liato said the agency has target to buy 21,450 tonnes of white maize from small scale farmers in Mazabuka, Monze, Pemba, Gwembe and Namwala.

He told the Daily Nation that the agency had so far bought, 244 tonnes in Monze, 37.1 tonnes in Namwala, 46.05 in Mazabuka, 93.95 tonnes in Pemba, and 2 tonnes in Gwembe.

Mr Liato said the maize buying exercise was slow in some districts due to high moisture content while some farmers were still shelling their maize.

He encouraged farmers to bring their maize to FRA for them to get a good price for their produce.

“We have so far bought 423 tonnes of white maize from farmers in region 'B' comprising Mazabuka, Monze, Pemba, Gwembe and Namwala since the marketing season started on 8th August, 2018 and we remain hopeful that we shall reach the target of 21,450 before the close of marketing season on October 31,

“I also just want to encourage farmers to sell their maize to FRA because we offer a good price for them to realize a profit for their commodity,” he said

Last year the Agency managed to meet the target of 17,550 tonnes of white maize in the entire region B.-ZANIS